Adult: As adjunctive treatment for fine facial wrinkles, mottled hypo- and hyperpigmentation, and benign facial lentigines associated with photoageing in patients who use comprehensive skin care and sunlight avoidance programme: As 0.1% cream: Avage Apply a pea-sized amount once daily at bedtime to lightly cover the whole face, including eyelids if desired. Treatment recommendations may vary between individual products (refer to specific product guidelines). Child: As adjunctive treatment for fine facial wrinkles, mottled hypo- and hyperpigmentation, and benign facial lentigines associated with photoageing in patients who use comprehensive skin care and sunlight avoidance programme: ≥17 years As 0.1% cream: Avage Same as adult dose. Treatment recommendations may vary between individual products (refer to specific product guidelines).
Topical/Cutaneous Acne vulgaris
Adult: As 0.045% lotion: Apply thinly to the affected area(s) once daily. As 0.1% cream/gel: Apply thinly (2 mg/cm2) to the affected area(s) once daily in the evening; use sufficient amount to cover the entire affected area. As 0.1% foam: Apply once daily in the evening, using a sufficient amount of foam to lightly cover the entire affected area(s) with a thin layer. Treatment recommendations may vary between individual products (refer to specific product guidelines). Child: ≥9 years As 0.045% lotion: Same as adult dose. ≥12 years As 0.1% cream, gel or foam: Same as adult dose. Treatment recommendations may vary between individual products (refer to specific product guidelines).
Topical/Cutaneous Plaque psoriasis
Adult: As 0.05% or 0.1% cream/gel: Apply thinly (2 mg/cm2) to the affected area(s) once daily in the evening; initiate treatment at a strength of 0.05%, then increase to 0.1% if tolerated and clinically indicated. Do not apply the gel to more than 20% of the BSA. Treatment recommendations may vary between individual products (refer to specific product guidelines). Child: ≥12 years As 0.05% or 0.1% gel: Same as adult dose. Treatment recommendations and age range of use may vary between individual products (refer to specific product guidelines).
Contraindications
Pregnancy.
Special Precautions
Patient with personal or family history of skin cancer, inherent sensitivity to sunlight, or those with considerable sun exposure due to their occupation. Should not be used in patients with eczema or sunburn (until sunburn has healed). Children. Lactation. Concomitant use with agents known to be photosensitisers (e.g. fluoroquinolones, phenothiazines, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, thiazides). Avoid concurrent use with topical agents that have a strong drying effect.
Adverse Reactions
Significant: Photosensitivity, local tolerability reactions (including blistering or skin desquamation), local hypersensitivity reactions (including urticaria); application site pain, excessive burning, drying, erythema, and pruritus; increased skin sensitivity to weather extremes (e.g. wind or cold); may cause severe irritation (when applied to eczematous skin). Cardiac disorders: Peripheral oedema. General disorders and administration site conditions: Localised oedema, facial pain. Immune system disorders: Hypersensitivity reaction. Metabolism and nutrition disorders: Hypertriglyceridaemia. Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Exacerbation of psoriasis, stinging of skin, contact dermatitis, dermal haemorrhage, eczema, skin discolouration, skin fissure, rash.
Patient Counseling Information
Women of childbearing potential must use effective birth control methods during therapy. Do not apply to eczematous, sunburned, broken, or abraded skin. Avoid contact with eyes, paranasal creases, mouth, and other mucous membranes. Do not use occlusive dressings unless directed by the doctor. Avoid or minimise exposure to sunlight or UV rays (including sunlamps); use sunscreen and protective clothing during treatment.
Monitoring Parameters
Evaluate pregnancy status in women of childbearing potential and must obtain a negative pregnancy test result within 2 weeks before treatment; initiate therapy during a normal menstrual period. Assess disease severity in plaque psoriasis (decreased in erythema, scaling, and induration), and closely monitor the frequency of dosing, clinical response, and skin tolerance during treatment.
Drug Interactions
Increased skin irritation with topical agents (e.g. medicated or abrasive cleansers, soaps, or cosmetics) that have a strong drying effect. Increased risk of photosensitivity with agents known to be photosensitisers (e.g. fluoroquinolones, phenothiazines, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, thiazides).
Action
Description: Overview: Tazarotene is a synthetic acetylenic retinoid prodrug of tazarotenic acid. Mechanism of Action: Tazarotene undergoes de-esterification to form its active metabolite, tazarotenic acid. Tazarotenic acid binds to nuclear retinoic acid receptor (RAR) proteins (e.g. RAR-α, RAR-β, RAR-γ), with relative selectivity for RAR-β and RAR-γ, which appears to enhance gene transcription. The exact mechanism of action of tazarotene has not yet been fully established, but it modulates epithelial tissue differentiation and proliferation and exhibits some anti-inflammatory and immunological activity. Pharmacodynamics: In psoriasis, tazarotene may promote the normalisation of keratinocyte differentiation and reduce cellular hyperproliferation and inflammation. In acne, it may inhibit corneocyte accumulation and cohesion, and decrease both non-inflammatory and inflammatory acne lesions. In dermatological changes associated with photoageing, tazarotene appears to increase the number of granular cell layers and the incidence of epidermal oedema; however, the clinical relevance of these findings remains unknown. Pharmacokinetics: Absorption: Minimal systemic absorption (≤6% of dose). Distribution: Plasma protein binding: >99% (tazarotenic acid). Metabolism: Rapidly metabolised via esterase hydrolysis into tazarotenic acid (active metabolite), which undergoes further hepatic metabolism. Excretion: Via urine and faeces (as metabolites). Elimination half-life: Cream/gel: Approx 18 hours (tazarotenic acid); foam: 8.1 ± 3.7 hours.
Chemical Structure
Tazarotene Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 5381, Tazarotene. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Tazarotene. Accessed Nov. 26, 2025.
Storage
Cream/gel: Store between 20-25°C.
Foam: Store upright between 20-25°C. Protect from freezing. Avoid fire, flame, or smoking during and immediately after use. Do not puncture, incinerate, or expose to heat or temperature >49°C.
Lotion: Store between 20-25°C. Protect from freezing.
D05AX05 - tazarotene ; Belongs to the class of other antipsoriatics for topical use.
References
Arazlo Lotion (Bausch Health US, LLC). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed. Accessed 21/10/2025.Avage 0.1% Cream (Allergan Sales, LLC). U.S. FDA. https://www.fda.gov. Accessed 17/11/2025.Brayfield A, Cadart C (eds). Tazarotene. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference [online]. London. Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 21/10/2025.Fabior Aerosol, Foam (Mayne Pharma). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed. Accessed 21/10/2025.Tazarotene. Gold Standard Drug Database in ClinicalKey [online]. Elsevier Inc. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed 17/11/2025.Tazarotene. UpToDate Lexidrug, AHFS DI (Adult and Pediatric) Online. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Waltham, MA. UpToDate, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 21/10/2025.Tazarotene. UpToDate Lexidrug, Lexi-Drugs Multinational Online. Waltham, MA. UpToDate, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 21/10/2025.Tazorac Cream (Almirall, LLC). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed. Accessed 17/11/2025.Tazorac Gel (Allergan, Inc.). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed. Accessed 21/10/2025.
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